ECE 4240 Microprocessor Interfacing

Course Outline – Fall Term 2011

Course Objectives
The course presents real-time wired and wireless interfacing of microcontrollers, microprocessors, and
microcomputers to the external world, including interfacing of I/O devices with minimum hardware and software,
data acquisition with and without microprocessors, data communications, transmission and logging with
embedded computers.

Corequisites
ECE 2160 Electronics 2E
ECE 3610 Microprocessing Systems

Course Content
The following topics will be covered:
• Introduction on computing, architectures, processors, and technologies
• Bus architectures
• Digital I/O
• D/A and A/D signal conversions and converters
• Interfacing aspects in data communications
• Demos: Examples of bus architectures
• Updates on new concepts, technologies, protocols, and software
o Demos: Examples of bus architectures, modules, systems, and new devices.
o Updates on new computer concepts, technologies, protocols, and software.

Accreditation Units
Mathematics: 0
Natural Science: 0
Complementary Studies: 0
Engineering Science: 30%
Engineering Design: 70%

Web Page
http://courses.ece.umanitoba.ca/ECE4240

Textbook
W. Kinsner, Microcontroller, Microprocessor, and Microcomputer Interfacing for Real-Time Systems. Lecture
Notes, 2010, 643 pp.
W. Kinsner, Laboratories for Microcontroller, Microprocessor, and Microcomputer Interfacing for Real-Time
Systems. Lab Notes; 2010, 92 pp. (Major Revision)

Other References
1. Jonathan W. Valvano, Embedded Microcomputer Systems: Real Time Interfacing. Toronto, ON:
Nelson/Thomson, 2007 (2nd ed.), 814 pp & CD-ROM. This book covers design methodologies with
examples, using Motorola 6805, 6808, 6811, and 6812 machines. The CD-ROM includes a simulator to
show internal and I/O activities, and many links to data sheets. {ISBN 0-534-55162-9}
2. Alan Clements, Microprocessor Systems Design: 68000 Hardware, Software, and Interfacing. Boston,
MA: PWS Computer Science, 1998 (3rd ed.), 978 pp & CD-ROM. In addition to the material covered in
the second edition (the 68000; memories; exception handling; serial I/O; buses, designing systems), this
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 third edition includes a chapter on the C programming and its relationship to assembly language, as well
as new examples and applications, better representation of timing diagrams, and a CD-ROM with a 68000
cross-assembler and simulator for DOS and Windows, and a cross compiler for C. {QA76.8.M67C48
1997; ISBN 0-534-9482-7}.

Other Supplementary Material

Books and Data Sheets
The library has many other books covering different aspects of microprocessor and microcomputer interfacing.
Laboratory write-ups provide detailed description of the devices used. Data sheets should also be consulted for
specific parameters of the devices. As usual, information on current developments in interfacing is published in
numerous technical magazines and journals, including:
Magazines (examples)
Embedded Systems, Computer Design, Electronic Design, Digital Design, EDN, Circuit
Cellar, Communications Systems Design, Wireless World, Elektor, Everyday Practical Electronics, Nuts & Volts.
Journals (examples)
IEEE Magazines: (i) Micro, (ii) Computer, (iii) Computational Intelligence; IEEE Trans. on (i) Computers, (ii)
Software Engineering.

Evaluation Details
The final course grade is determined by the student’s performance on assignments, in laboratories, and on
examinations. Students must complete all the laboratories in order to be eligible to receive a passing grade.

Mid-Term(s)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011

Instructor
Prof. Witold Kinsner
Room: E2-390 EITC
Telephone: (204) 474-6490
Email: [email protected]

Office Hours
After lectures or by appointment.

Teaching Assistants
TBA

Voluntary Withdrawal Date

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011.

Requirements/Regulations
• Attendance at lectures and laboratories is essential for successful completion of this course. Students must
satisfy each evaluation component in the course to receive a final grade.
• It is the responsibility of each student to contact the instructor in a timely manner if he or she is uncertain
about his or her standing in the course and about his or her potential for receiving a failing grade. Students
should also familiarize themselves with Sections 4 and 6 of the Regulations dealing with incomplete term
work, deferred examinations, attendance and withdrawal.
• No programmable devices or systems (such as calculators, PDAs, iPods, iPads, cell phones, wireless
communication or data storage devices) are allowed in examinations unless approved by the course
instructor.

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Academic Integrity
Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest ethical standards of the Profession of
Engineering and evince academic integrity in all their pursuits and activities at the university. As such, in
accordance with the General Academic Regulations and Requirements of the University of Manitoba, Section 7.1,
students are reminded that plagiarism or any other form of cheating in examinations, assignments, laboratory
reports or term tests is subject to serious academic penalty (e.g. suspension or expulsion from the faculty or
university). A student found guilty of contributing to cheating in examinations or term assignments is also subject
to serious academic penalty.

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 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 4240 Microprocessor Interfacing
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Learning Outcomes (approximately 5 recommended)

1. Describe the role of the essential elements of interfacing in real-time systems.
2. Analyze the best techniques for synchronization in digital systems.
3. Analyze and design the best techniques for analog -to-digital conversion (DAC).
4. Analyze and design the best techniques for digital-to-analog conversion (ADC).
5. Analyze and design modern data transmission systems in the presence of noise.
6. Analyze and design simple error detection and correction systems.
7. Solve problems of data transmitting data in the presence of noise.

Expected Competency Level **

Learning Attribute*
Outcome A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12
1 2 2
2 3 4 5 2 2
3 5 4 4 5 3 3 2 2
4 5 4 4 5 3 3 2 2
5 4 4 4 5 3 3 2 2
6 3 2 4 5 3 3 2 2
7 3 4 2

*Attributes: **Competency Levels:

A1 A knowledge base for engineering 1 - Knowledge (Able to recall information)
A2 Problem analysis 2 - Comprehension (Able to rephrase information)
A3 Investigation 3 - Application (Able to apply knowledge in a new situation)
A4 Design 4 - Analysis (Able to break problem into its components and
A5 Use of engineering tools establish relationships)
A6 Individual and team work 5 - Synthesis (Able to combine separate elements into whole)
A7 Communication skills 6 - Evaluation (Able to judge of the worth of something)
A8 Professionalism
A9 Impact of engineering on society/environment
A10 Ethics and equity
A11 Economics and project management
A12 Life-long learning

Student Contact Time (Hrs)

Lectures: 3 hrs lecture/week × 13 weeks/term = 39 hrs
Laboratories: 3 hrs laboratory × 5 weeks = 15 hrs
Tutorials: 0 hr tutorial × 0 weeks = 0 hrs

Evaluation
Component Value (%) Methods of Feedback * Learning Outcomes Evaluated
Assignments 10 F, S 1 to 7
Quizzes 0 F 1 to 7
Laboratories 20 F, S 1 to 7
Mid-Term Test (2) 20 F, S 2 to 7
Final Examination 50 S 1 to 7
* Methods of Feedback: F - formative (written comments and/or oral discussion), S - summative (number grades)

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